Banned Books Week
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Books Unbanned: 1 Million Checkouts
In 2022, Brooklyn Public Library launched Books Unbanned to provide access to digital books for young people impacted by censorship. The Seattle Public Library joined in 2023, with our foundation generously funding the program. Three and a half years after Brooklyn’s big idea, The Books Unbanned coalition has grown to six libraries. For Banned Books… Continue reading
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Chatting About Book Bans With The Library’s Librarians
In recent years, school and public libraries around the nation have grappled with attempts by individuals and coordinated groups to restrict community access to certain book titles they find objectionable. As Banned Books Week draws to a close, we had the opportunity to discuss censorship and intellectual freedom with our selection services librarians, the people responsible for… Continue reading
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Unbanned Books: A Celebration
With all the attention that has been garnered by alarming censorship challenges that have been erupting in libraries and school districts across the nation, we thought it might be nice to focus on the bright side. Here are just some of the many books deemed so harmless that their place on library shelves hasn’t been… Continue reading
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Banned Books Week September 23-29
Every year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of all the books that have been challenged and banned during the previous year. In 2017, there were 416 reports of challenges or outright bans in libraries and schools. Here are the Top Ten Most Challenged Books from the previous year, including the reasons… Continue reading
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Know Your Rights: Intellectual Freedom & Libraries
The public library as an institution is charged with providing access to information, regardless of content. In doing so, the library stands firm in upholding the First Amendment and the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. This is why, as Jo Godwin famously stated, “A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.”… Continue reading
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Ethnic Studies: Banned
This past August, a federal judge lifted a ban on a Mexican-American ethnic studies program at the Tucson Unified School District. The decision came after a group of students sued, arguing the ban was overly broad, discriminatory, and violated their free speech. Although the ban and ruling that followed only affected Arizona, the case had… Continue reading
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Join us for the 4th Annual Banned! Books in Drag
In September, libraries put up their Banned Books Week displays that highlight the freedom to read, because every year books are challenged and banned due to their content. Books that explore themes of race, sexuality and gender are often the most challenged books in libraries across the country. So, it makes perfect sense to celebrate… Continue reading
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LGBTQ: Banned & Challenged Books
During Banned Books Week, we highlight the importance of the Freedom to Read. But what does that mean, exactly? While we welcome patron comments about materials in our collection, upholding intellectual freedom means we believe our collection should have something to please and offend everyone. That means a well-rounded collection should include materials that someone… Continue reading
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Banned! Books in Drag
The Seattle Public Library is very excited for our upcoming event “Banned! Books in Drag” that will be taking place on September 27, 2014 at Neighbours Nightclub on Capitol Hill. This free event will be hosted by The Stranger’s associate editor David Schmader and will feature some of Seattle’s favorite drag performers and comics giving performances… Continue reading
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Book Banning Lives!
Librarians, almost universally, are hostile to the idea of denying access to information. Every year, we honor the survival of literature against the onslaught of book banners and information suppressors with displays and programming to call the community’s attention to the fight. There is even a week set aside to memorialize what we regard as… Continue reading
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Banned Book-of-the-Month Club presents: Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
Each September, libraries observe Banned Books Week, celebrating the freedom to read. How about the rest of the year? Welcome to Shelf Talk’s Banned Book-of-the-Month Club! Our inaugural selection is a novel about banning books: Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Why read banned or challenged books? Yes, to affirm your right to read and think as you please,… Continue reading
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Why was this book banned?
If you’ve been to your local library sometime this month, you’ve probably seen a display of books that have been challenged or banned in libraries, bookstores, and communities at some point in history. Created in honor of Banned Books Week (Sept. 27 through Oct. 4), these displays may have made you wonder why these books… Continue reading
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Reading those censored books
Every year, the American Library Association puts out a list of the most challenged books of the previous year, plus a distressingly thick catalog of banned and challenged books. This article at The Onion made me think about all the various banned books that most of us really never read (or read for the wrong… Continue reading
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Celebrating the freedom to read for over two millennia
This month and next all over Seattle (and all over the country), libraries will be putting up displays and posters and hosting events in honor of Banned Books Week (Sept 27 – Oct 4). The annual event, started in 1982 by the American Library Association, is a celebration of your freedom to read, and an important reminder that… Continue reading